Norwegian water-and-wind power producer Statkfraft has decided to build a “salt-power” plant in southern Norway to produce a starting “two to four” kilowatts of electricty, on the way to an estimated world potential of “1,600 TWh”.

Known for dams and building gas-fired power plants, Statkraft says the salt-powered “osmotic” plant will crown NOK100 million in spending on a project which has spanned a decade.

The prototype plant based on a “salt cell” will be supplied salt water and fresh water at a site provided by paper pulp producer Södra Cell Tofte in Buskerud, Norway.

"Osmotic power is a very promising technology in which we are global leaders,” company chief exec Baard Mikkelsen was quoted as saying. “It is clean and emission-free, and could become competitive within a few years," he added.

Journalists in Norway first learned of the new technology when shown a graphic and presentation at the Alta dam in northern Norway two years ago. In essence, salt water pushes fresh water through a membrane producing pressure that drives a "turbine".

ws@scandoil.com